Dolphins are aggressively pursuing Vonta Leach

June 12, 2013|By Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel

DAVIE - The Miami Dolphins were the first team to contact fullback Vonta Leach when he became a free agent on Tuesday, and South Florida's NFL team has been the most aggressive team pursuing the three-time Pro Bowler.

According to Ralph Vitolo, Leach's agent, his client will wrap up his visit with Miami Wednesday afternoon. After taking a physical and taking to Miami's coaches and executives Leach plans to fly back home to North Carolina and consider all his offers before making a decision about his future.

"He wants to sit down and weight all his options. But we don't need to visit every team. He knows a couple of them," Vitolo said, likely referring to the Houston Texans, which happen to be one of a handful of teams that have expressed interest in signing the 31-year-old, who is viewed as one of the NFL's best lead blockers.

Leach spent five season with the Texans before signing a lucrative free agent contract with the Ravens in 2011. The Ravens cut Leach on Tuesday because both sides were unable to reach an agreement on how to restructure a contact that carried a $4.33 salary-cap figure.

Leach's interest in the Dolphins stems from his history with Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman. He played for both during his first three seasons in Green Bay, and Sherman was Houston's offensive coordinator during Leach's early years with the Texans.

"He wants to be there. He likes the area and they have a young team that could use a veteran leader like him," Vitolo said. "Coach Sherman and Philbin have had him so they know what he brings to the table."

The Dolphins have identified "protection issues" as one of the team's remaining areas of concern because Jorvorskie Lane is a relatively unproven fullback, and none of the team's young tailbacks have established themselves as top notch pass protectors.

The Dolphins claimed second-year fullback Evan Rodriguez off the waiver wire Tuesday following his release from the Bears, but apparently want Leach too.

Leach has rushed for 70 yards on 24 carries, scoring three touchdowns during his nine-year NFL career. But he's caught 112 passes for 749 yards and four touchdowns in his 130 career games.